The Week That Was: Opening Day, Lefty wins, and more…

Published 8:00 pm, Wednesday, April 12, 2006

These are just a few of my thoughts on what has transpired at the state and national level of sports during the past week.

A different feeling…

…For the fifth consecutive year, my brother and I had a chance to take in the festivities of Tigers opening day on Monday.

Although the result was a lost, we were left with a different feeling than in years past.

Prior to the loss, the Tigers had won five of six and became one of the surprises of baseball.

The quick start is just what diehard fans like my brother and I were waiting for.

It also helped to create quite a buzz in and around the park.

In the past, there was hope, but never a sense that the Tigers could actually be respectable. And that came through in the reaction of the fans.

On Monday, the mood was quite different.

From start to finish, the fans were pumped up. And it showed on two of the three homers the White Sox hit, as those balls were promptly tossed back by the crowd. Only one of the balls actually made it back on the field as a lady near us short-armed her toss as it landed in the Tigers bullpen.

Maybe its a new manager, or that fact that this team is maturing before our eyes.

Whatever it was, theres a different attitude down at Comerica Park.

Hopefully, its a feeling which can continue all season.

Its a small world…

…Its become a tradition of mine to walk around ball park during opening day to take in the atmosphere  and take some pictures, as well.

As I was headed down the third base standing room only section, I felt a tug at my shirt  and it was none other than Ubly varsity volleyball coach Andy Gusa. Gusa was there with his brother and some other family and friends.

I stayed for about a half of inning before ushers began checking tickets.

Before I scurried away, Gusas brother hooked me up with a couple of pieces of pepper stick, which were much appreciated.

After the game, while we were walking by Ford Field, I heard someone yell out Adams!

I looked up to be greeted by former Cass City varsity girls basketball coach John Maharg, who now resides in Ohio with his new wife.

On a whim, Maharg scored tickets that day for the game.

It was certainly a pleasant surprise to run into an old friend  and goes to show, you never know who youll meet at the Tigers home opener.

Big Ben wont play…

…The Pistons have become known for their worth ethic  and warrior-like attitude when it comes to playing.

So, it came as somewhat of a surprise when Ben Wallace refused to return to the floor during the waning moments of the Pistons loss to the Magic on Friday.

With about eight minutes to go  and the Pistons down by eight, coach Flip Saunders pulled Wallace much to his chagrin.

When the game got closer, Saunders motioned to Wallace to go back in, but he wouldnt have any of it.

Its unclear what brought on this bout of whining, but since its Ben Wallace, he gets a free pass this time.

But only this time.

As I said, the Pistons are built on hard work and team work  and its clear that no player, no matter who they are is bigger than the team.

Im sure Wallace was reminded of this after the game.

If it becomes a reoccurring problem, I would be concerned, but with Wallaces track record  and the way the players handle themselves  Ill mark it down as an isolated incident.

Lefty is right again…

…Phil Mickelson used to be called the best golfer to never win a major.

Thats no longer the case as Lefty won his third major in three years  and his second green jacket with his steady victory at the Masters on Sunday.

Unlike the Mickelson of past, he limited his mistakes and played within himself to hold off a host of would be challengers.

One of those challengers was defending champ Tiger Woods, who probably struck the ball better than he ever has at Augusta.

However, it was the short stick that let him down as he was unable to convert putt after putt on Sunday.

Although he father is ailing from cancer, Woods made no excuses.

He knows that he was literally about three or four putts away from his fifth green jacket.

Back to Mickelson, heres a guy that three years ago couldnt buy a major title  and now as three, including last years PGA Championship.

At 35, he still has time  and the game to possibly reach double digits in major titles before hes done.

Weve been looking for years for someone to challenge Tiger  and judging by Phils performance on Sunday, we may have found that man.

Lifes too short…

…As I creep up on 30, I was reminded that no matter how old or young you feel, life can be taken away from you in an instant.

That was the case for Army womens basketball coach Maggie Dixon, who died suddenly last week due to heart ailment.

Dixon was just 28  and just helped Army to its first-ever NCAA tourney bid.

Along with her brother Jamie, who coaches at Pitt, they were believed to be the first brother-sister combo to coach in the mens and womens tournaments at the same time.

Despite being at Army for only one season, Army officials offered to bury her at West Point, an honor usually reserved for high-ranking officials.

They say to live life one day at a time because you never know when its going to be your last  and thats how Dixon lived her according to her friends and family.

Dreams come true…

…Dakoda Dowd dreamed of one day playing the LPGA Tour, but never thought it would come this soon at the age of 12.

In what has become an emotional story that is sweeping the country, Dowd will play in the inaugural Ginn Clubs and Resorts Open to be played April 27-30 in Orlando on a sponsors exemption.

Dowd was granted the exemption because it is the dying wish of her mother Kelly Jo, who is terminal with cancer in her liver and bones.

We just felt it was the right thing to do, said Ryan Julison, senior vice president of corporate communications for the Ginn Co., in an interview with the St. Petersburg Times. Dakodas dream was to play professionally and her mother is fighting to stay alive to see that happen. We didnt think that goal would be fulfilled given the situation with Dakoda's mother. This gives her a chance. Dowd has the skills to possibly hold her own on the course as she placed second at last years Florida Class A high school regional tournament.

However, her playing is so much more than just the score on the card.

It shows that there are people out there that care more about the well being of others than themselves.

Kelly Jo is fighting his everything she has to see her daughter play.

What Im doing right now is Im fighting, its all I can do, she said. Im going to fight as long as I can stay alive, and its because of her.

Dakoda knows that whether I am there or not, Im always here. I told her Id be her angel sitting on her shoulder, and thats what I intend to do.

Too many times, we focus on the negative side of sports, but stories like this remind us of what a healing tool they can be.

Programing note…

…The Week That Was local version will return on Tuesday.

It will run until the end of the sports season in June.

Paul P. Adams is a sports writer for the Huron Daily Tribune and can be reached at (989) 269-6464 ext. 112 or padams@hearstnp.com. The Week That Was appears every Tuesday and Thursday.